Bricked back yard ------ with weeds

[phil1963]

Not sure that this is the right catergory .... but ..... the previous owners of my abode laid the floor of the rear yard (size 4 yards by 3 yards) with brick. Not only is this rather slippery in the winter, but in the summer weeds grown up rapidly between the said bricks as they were not laid tight together, nor the gaps between them filled with concrete. Although one option to kill the weeds is the constant watering of weed-killer .......... but do any of you know a better trick to kill the weeds forever? Would croesote between the gaps do a better job???

 

[flameport]

Creosote can't be purchased for DIY use any more, and pouring it onto the ground is probably illegal, as it will contaminate the groundwater. It would also smell terrible, make the whole area oily and generally ensure that no one wanted to go there ever again.

Sodium chlorate would have disposed of any weeds for many months, but that can't be purchased any more either.

If there are large gaps between the bricks, filling them will certainly help, although weeds will grow through practically anything.
Are the bricks laid directly onto the soil? Sounds as if the real problem is the poor installation, which can only be resolved by removing the bricks and laying a new base & surface properly.

 

[phil1963]

Yes the bricks do look like they have been laid onto dirt direct - hmmm may have to get them covered with something else then. Any ideas?

 

[JohnD]

Have you considered weedkiller? "Pathclear" and similar will kill the present weeds and prevent seeds germinating.